Charity shop chic
Lily Barclay
Hot-foot it down to the local charity shops if you want to get your hands on this season’s must-haves
Green fashion is the new black, but with so many retailers jumping on the ethical bandwagon it can be difficult to know how genuine your high-street stores eco-policies really are.
This is where the humble charity shop comes in. They may have had a bad image for selling cheap and tacky clothes over the last decade, but they are sharpening up their fashion credentials fast.
Not convinced?
These days, charity shops are becoming choosier about the donated items they accept for sales purposes. Some have even made a point about not putting Tesco and Primark cast-offs on the shop floor. They say the low value of the products just doesn’t justify the room on the rail.
Cheap clothes tend to be low quality, so they stretch, fade, shrink or bobble after just a few washes. The working conditions of factory employees in developing world countries have also come into serious question, with many workers not being paid a legal minimum wage, as seen in the BBC documentary Blood, Sweat and T-shirts.
However, all donations are considered valuable and will be redirected to a useful home if there not considered appropriate for sale. Take Oxfam’s own recycling plant for example, Wastesaver- any items that don’t fly off the rails will be redirected to appreciative markets in developing countries.
Charity shops are an inspiring and cheap guilt-free alternative to disposable fashion. And it’s not just quality, recycled clothes that are up for grabs - lots of stores also stock Fairtrade and organic products, from coffee to crockery.
Cool to be kind
Buying second-hand from charity shops doesn’t just ensure your cash is going to a good cause; it reduces your ‘fashion miles’ by cutting out the travel emissions from factories abroad to the UK. Recycling fashion also prevents clogging up overfull landfill sites, as well as sending the message to retailers that ethics matter to consumers.
Charity shops also give you a chance to get creative with your style - the trick is to view each purchase with an eye on its potential. Customising your clothes with a belt, new buttons or even some light alterations means you are guaranteed an outfit that’s completely unique.
With “vintage” being this year’s fashion buzzword, it’s not surprising that style magazine Grazia has already branded Oxfam the new Topshop, and there are lots of other great charity shops out there.
Find a charity shop near you
There are an estimated 7000 charity shops in the UK, which can be found on high streets across the country. To find your nearest treasure trove check out the Association of Charity Shops for their full database of shop locations. Here are a few of our favourites to help get you started.
Salvation Army - London
This is a two storey shopping destination, with a wealth of ‘faux fur’ jackets, 1970s dresses and glamorous evening bags. The top floor is a little more boutiquey, but perfect for fashionistas after that exclusive vintage find.
Princes St, Oxford Circus, W1
Barnardo’s Vintage - Edinburgh
This store is famous for its vintage, retro and quality designer clothing. The stock is well organised with a good selection of bric-a-brac and accessories. At the moment, they hold a number of vintage wedding dresses, perfect for any style-savvy summer brides
116 West Bow, Victoria Street
British Red Cross Bridal Boutique - Surrey
This branch specialises in new and nearly-new wedding dresses, shoes, jewellery veils and brides’ bags. They’ve also got a huge range of as party and evening wear, hats and accessories for the wedding party guests.
191-193 High Street, Dorking
FARA Kids - London
This FARA shop is dedicated to an extensive range of nursery equipment, prams, buggies and furnishings for babies and children. It also holds good quality clothing for infants, kids and mums-to-be.
662 Fulham Road, Fulham
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